GOLDEN GLOW…

Gardening is a passion of mine, and one that brings me great peace and joy as I work and think and pray and ponder and just enjoy being outside in the presence of God. I especially love gardening in Autumn!

I love this plant. I think of it as a cultured wildflower of sorts, and have heard it called “Golden Glow,” or “Swamp Sunflower,” but it’s real name is Helianthus Angustifolia. (My name is Jan, but my real name is written down in the Book of Life because of what Jesus Christ did on the cross for me, and my acceptance of His blood atonement for my sins!)
Golden Glow blooms in glorious October and it truly does GLOW with bright yellow flowers.
I am celebrating this year because my Golden Glow has made it’s way back home to me…and I am so happy to have it back in my garden. It was first given to me years ago by a precious senior adult woman. I grew it for years and shared cuttings with many others. I gave some to my daughter-in-law’s mother and she planted it in her garden. We share a love for gardening and also a new grandson…named Zeke…have I mentioned him lately? 🙂
When we moved to our farm a year ago, I neglected to bring any Golden Glow from my old garden with me and I really was missing this “Delight” to my soul! This past spring, a friend with whom I had shared some cuttings brought it back to me and now I can start the tradition again. My Mom has already asked for some new plants next Spring, and I will gladly share with her!
Lessons learned:
*Share from the abundance of what you have…
*The blessings will return back to you…
*Get outside and enjoy God’s glorious creation…
*Be sure and know what your “real name” is…
*Bask in the GLOW of His Love for you…
Blessings,
Jan
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Especially for Holly

For my friend Holly from Colorado, vist her here. This wonderful concept is taught in the study, Believing God, by Beth Moore. Visit Beth here. I posted last month about my moonvine that has large white flowers and blooms at night…hence the name “moonflower.” I also shared about the fascinating night-time hummingbirds that visit. Holly replied that she was interested in these nighttime creatures, so I told her I would try to send some information. I looked around the world wide web, but the pictures were not really pretty and I wanted to actually TAKE a picture, so I’ve been waiting! Well tonight during my evening stroll around the garden I heard the familiar “sound” of rapid wings fluttering and my heart skipped a beat…because it has been a long time since I actually saw the nighttime visitors…check it out Holly!!! Can you see this one in flight as well? This was taken just about an hour ago. The night hummingbird (actually a moth) is just above the pink flowers right at the edge of the sidewalk. Here’s another view where he is taking off again. I had the absolute best time attempting to take these pictures, all the while thinking how blessed I was to see this “delight.” This picture on the left is not great because I was fluttering around myself (what a sight in itself!) trying to take the pictures. The hummingbird moth is right near the window on the far right of the picture. They are quite large. What does all this mean to me? I am reminded that we serve a God who never sleeps or slumbers, He is always awake (Isaiah 40:28). We can rest in Him, because He cares for us. Our God who is up all day and night for ever and ever even created wondrous delights that are up at night too! Now, me personally, I look forward to the day when there will be NO MORE NIGHT – because we will be with Jesus and He is the LIGHT and will SHINE forever and ever, AMEN! Night-night, sleep tight… Love, Jan

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Moonflowers…I LOVE them!

I love gardening…besides spending time with my men-folks (husband, sons, grandson) and my girls (daughters-in-law), it’s my most favorite thing to do. Gardening is pure therapy for me…and much cheaper…unless I’ve been to the Lowe’s Garden Center!
Have you ever seen a moonflower? Well they are wonderful and I grow them from seed every year! They grown on a beautiful vine and the foliage is heart-shaped. The flowers are spectacular, about 6″ across, lightly scented, and they are white with a “star” in the center. They begin to bloom at dusk…when the day is winding down.

One of my favorite authors, Jan Karon wrote a wonderful book entitled The Trellis and the Seed, a book of encouragement for all ages. It is all about waiting for a moonflower to bloom, it is delightful.
I just wanted to share some gardening joy today. I’m sorta like those moonflowers in that I am not a morning person (or a morning glory)! I begin to wind up when the day is winding down myself. Maybe that’s why I love these flowers so much. There’s nothing sweeter that sitting in my back porch swing and enjoying the moonflowers blooming. Did you know there’s even a night-time hummingbird? Oh yes there is…I’ll save that for another post!
Georgia Jan
Isaiah 58:11…your soul will be like a well-watered garden…
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